Immigration

SB1070 Debate: Views, Voices in U.S., Abroad

Americans are divided on what to do about an estimated 11 million living illegally in the U.S. We aren't alone.

By Stephanie Czekalinski

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Reactions to the Supreme Court decision on SB1070 attracted supporters from both sides to the Arizona Capitol Monday; opinions among activists, politicians and citizens around the USA and beyond, in the media and in cyberspace.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

The Supreme Court's decision to both uphold and strike down Arizona’s controversial immigration law known as SB1070 reflects a fissure among Americans that no mid-June decision by the justices will resolve.

Immigration, the border, and documentation will continue to be a part of the national conversation, the political stage, and the courts for some time to come.

In April, the United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll found that a majority of Americans supported key elements of Arizona’s illegal-immigration law. A majority also rejected the option of deporting the 11 million immigrants here illegally. An even larger percentage believed that young people brought to the U.S. illegally should be able to stay if they attend college or join the military.

And this month, a poll by the Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan Washington think tank, found that 58 percent of Americans approve of the law, compared with 38 percent who oppose. The opinion was divided along racial and ethnic lines: 75 percent of Hispanics opposed, as did 56 percent of blacks. The majority, 69 percent, of whites supported the law.

In a recent column, National Journal polticial director Ronald Brownstein points out traits common to all Americans: We’re committed to enforcing the rule of law. But we’re also a pragmatic and humane bunch.

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We apparently also love a debate.

Earlier this month, the president announced that the administration would halt the deportations of certain young people in the country illegally, sparking a fierce and, at times, partisan discussion over what should be done about the estimated 11 million people here illegally.

The debate reached a fever pitch on Monday morning when the Supreme Court ruled on SB1070.

About 50,000 people signed in to SCOTUSblog to watch reporters inside the Court blog live. By noon, hashtags #SB1070, #SCOTUS, and #Arizona dominated Twitter.

Hundreds filled out an informal poll on the Arizona Republic’s website: by 7 p.m. ET, 36.4 percent of those who responded thought that today’s winners were Arizona residents. The next largest share, 33.8 percent, said nobody won.